Compared to its first round match, Kinston will have a more formidable opponent today.

Carrboro (14-6-3), the Carolina 12 1A/2A Conference champion, is also the defending 2A Eastern Regional champion. The Jaguars fell in overtime 3-2 to Salisbury in the state 2A title match last season.

“It’s going to be a harder game than this,” said senior foreign exchange student Stan Vanclooster, who scored both goals for Kinston on Wednesday. “The team is going to be stronger. We’re going to try and do our best. We will see what happens.”

Kinston’s road to its first and only second round state playoff match actually began with the playoffs in 2011.

The Vikings, hosting a state playoff match for the first time, were shutout by Topsail 6-0. The defeat proved to Kinston that even though it hosted a state playoff match it still had a ways to go to compete against state-wide competition.

The team took the loss and used it as fuel when it opened summer workouts.

“We did it starting June 15,” Romig said. “(Topsail) dictated the game and then they showed us something — that we weren’t there yet.”

Now, for the first time, the Vikings are there, and they’ve gotten there by trusting in each other instead of relying on individual performances.

“When they take something like their ego and throw it out the door, and they’re fighting for this guy and this guy and their team, then anything’s accomplishable,” Romig said. “You can reach for the stars at that point.”

Rams go for third title

Greene Central’s girls tennis team returns to the NCHSAA dual-team state championship today with the hopes of knocking off four-time defending champion Salisbury.

The Rams, who made a perfect 12-0 run through the Eastern Plains 2A Conference, are back in the title match after losing 5-0 to Salisbury in 2009. The match will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Burlington Tennis Complex.

Longtime coach Donald Clark called this year “magical,” and said he expected a rebuilding year after Greene Central graduated three seniors from last season’s regional runner-up squad and dropped six of its first 12 matches in 2012.

The Rams (20-8) have won 14 of their last 16 matches and have yet to lose to a 2A team (19-0).

“This has truly been a magical season for us,” Clark said. “The girls kept working hard throughout the year, and we made progress as a team every week.

“This is our 11th trip to the state finals since 1998, but this will always be one of my most special teams because of the totally unexpected nature of this season.”

While Greene Central is hoping to win its third state title — it won titles in 2005 and 2007, both over Salisbury — it must play to perfection against a team that has won eight state titles, ranked tops in the state and is 20-2 on the season.

“We will have to play a perfect match to upset Salisbury. Salisbury is incredibly talented with one of the best coaches in the state,” Clark said.

“I’m sure my girls are going to give their absolute best effort as they have all year long, and that’s all that I ever ask out of my players.”

SL duo in cross country championships

South Lenoir distance runners Caroline Jones and Mason Zeagler will take part in the NCHSAA state 2A cross country championships today at Beeson Park in Kernersville.

Jones and Zeagler both finished among the top five individuals who were not on a qualifying team in last weekend’s regionals to qualify for the state championships.

Zeagler will run at 10 a.m. in the 2A boys race while Jones will follow in the 2A girls race at 11 a.m.

Ryan Herman can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Ryan.Herman@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter: @KFPSports.